WO1998055973A1 - Method for monitoring a mobile station user and corresponding station - Google Patents

Method for monitoring a mobile station user and corresponding station Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998055973A1
WO1998055973A1 PCT/FR1998/001173 FR9801173W WO9855973A1 WO 1998055973 A1 WO1998055973 A1 WO 1998055973A1 FR 9801173 W FR9801173 W FR 9801173W WO 9855973 A1 WO9855973 A1 WO 9855973A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mobile station
information
user
radio
signal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR1998/001173
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Marc Poirier
Original Assignee
Marc Poirier
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Marc Poirier filed Critical Marc Poirier
Priority to AU79247/98A priority Critical patent/AU7924798A/en
Publication of WO1998055973A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998055973A1/en

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08BSIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/0202Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
    • G08B21/0205Specific application combined with child monitoring using a transmitter-receiver system
    • G08B21/0211Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to methods and devices for monitoring the user of a mobile station easily transportable by the user and receiving at least periodically precise information relating to this user.
  • This precise information is chosen from position information delivered by a tracking device with beacons, to satellites or the like, health information delivered by a sensor secured to the user, user monitoring information, and a combination of these.
  • Such a monitoring method can find an application in the methods for locating mobile stations, making it possible to quickly locate the user of this mobile station, when certain conditions are met or, on the contrary, are no longer met, to trigger an appropriate action.
  • This action may, for example, consist of an intervention with the user, if the latter leaves a predetermined perimeter, for example in a hospital environment, or enters an unauthorized area.
  • Such a monitoring method can also make it possible to detect a possible failure of the user's health in order to trigger an appropriate action. This action will then consist in bringing immediate help to the user.
  • the present invention also relates to a mobile station, of the type of a transportable box, equipping a user, and implementing the method of the present invention.
  • Localization methods are already known in association with specific mobile stations, such as for example the ARGOS beacons, used by navigators or mountaineers.
  • Such beacons in addition to their very high costs, have a major drawback Indeed, they are only localized by a set of artificial satellites dedicated to this function, that when their user puts them into service It follows that if the user is unconscious, or unable to activate them, such beacons are inoperative
  • Also known from document FR-A-2 715 013 is a method for locating and detecting mobile radiocommunication stations communicating with a base station of a cellular network.
  • a user of the mobile station is associated a fixed beacon transmitting, with a range substantially smaller than the characteristic dimension of a cell, a radio signal specific to the user
  • the mobile station picks up the radio signal emitted by the beacon, it addresses to the network base station communication a signal indicating that it is within range of the beacon
  • the general location of the mobile station is known through the situation of the base station
  • the precise location of the mobile station is known by means of the beacon
  • La beacon is, for example, located at the user's home, so that one can thus locate the mobile station if it is for example less than 300 meters from the tag We can thus detect that the user is close to his home and apply a preferential communication cost to him.
  • Such a process therefore requires the installation of as many tags as there are users
  • Document US-A-5 121 126 also discloses an improved telecommunications system using beacons from the public switched network.
  • a system includes a transmitter beacon associated with the station in the switched network to provide location information. periodically transmits signals containing information on the location of the beacon and the station A portable receiver is provided to receive such information and display it to allow the user of the portable receiver to locate the station
  • the station can be a cabin public telephone and / or a cellular cellular telephone
  • the receiver can be associated with a cellular cellular telephone to establish communications with a cellular cellular telephone arranged in the vicinity of the beacon
  • Such a system also requires the installation of a large number of beacons
  • EP-A-0 199 266 a cellular radio system for vehicles.
  • This system comprises a navigation device updated by the reception of signals emitted by beacons located on the side of the road, and which provide information for choosing the radio cell
  • the location information is transferred to the vehicle's radio device to be compared with the information on the radio cells This comparison defines the appropriate radio cell and the radio concentrator
  • the radio device has a memory for storing the information for several radio cells
  • the location information for one or more radio cells is sent to the vehicle passing close to the beacon, to obtain the location of the vehicles This system again requires the installation of a large number of beacons
  • the present invention is placed in this context and aims to provide a method for monitoring the user of a mobile station, in particular for monitoring the location of the user, which is simple to implement, of a moderate cost while providing reliable information, to be able to intervene quickly with the user of the mobile station when necessary
  • the present invention provides a method for monitoring the user of a mobile station receiving at least periodically at least precise information relating to the user
  • the information is retransmitted over the air to a remote monitoring device.
  • the last information is put in local memory awaiting retransmission, replacing the previous one
  • the last information is automatically retransmitted only when the user of the mobile station no longer performs a task of inhibiting the transmission.
  • a signal warns the wearer that he / she is going to carry out the inhibition task without delay before the last information is transmitted.
  • the device for retransmitting the information is a mobile telephone, for example a cellular telephone.
  • the present invention also aims to provide a mobile station for the implementation of such a method, which is simple to carry out, easy to transport and of moderate cost while providing reliable information to the standby device so that the operator located at this standby device can quickly intervene with the user of the mobile station when necessary
  • the present invention provides a mobile station for implementing the above method, which comprises, in combination, a monitoring device, a radio transmitter, and an interface comprising at least one random access memory, one memory read and write addressing circuit, a converter capable of converting information from the monitoring device into a digital signal capable of being stored in memory, a converter capable of converting the signal stored in memory into an intelligible signal for the radio transmitter, and a radio transmitter control unit
  • the mobile station further comprises an internal clock incrementing a counter controlling the periodic automatic reading of the memory and the corresponding start-up of the radio transmitter
  • the counter includes a means for resetting to zero
  • the interface includes a means of signaling the imminence of a retransmission of the position information, and a means of inhibiting the retransmission of this information.
  • the mobile station further comprises a radio receiver which is capable of controlling the automatic reading of the memory and the switching on of the radio transmitter in response to a determined coded signal. Provision may be made for the interface to further comprise a device for detecting the state of the electrical power source of at least the radio transmitter, so as to automatically retransmit the last information before the source is switched off.
  • the radio transmitter and the radio receiver together constitute a mobile telephone, for example a cellular telephone, the interface including, moreover, a means for automatically answering an incoming call.
  • the interface further includes an automatic dialing means for making an outgoing call to the remote standby device, and a radio carrier detection means determining the appropriate time for the transmission of the last position information or a re-calling of the remote standby device
  • the mobile station may further comprise a secondary radio transmitter of short range transmitting a determined signal
  • this secondary radio transmitter may have a power source independent of the other devices of the mobile station and only operate when the detection device detects a failure of the main power source, and at least On the other hand, this secondary radio transmitter can only transmit the determined signal in response to a signal received by a short range secondary radio receiver.
  • FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a mobile station for implementing the method of Figure 1
  • the method monitoring station is intended to locate a mobile station, designated as a whole by the reference M
  • the mobile station M comprises a monitoring or tracking part, designated as a whole by the reference R, receiving, in the example shown, by channel over the air data from at least one satellite S, and processing them to transform them into position or location information
  • G P Global Posrtionmng System
  • Mobile station M can also receive data from a beacon
  • the mobile station M also comprises a transmission-reception part, designated as a whole by the reference E, and intended to correspond by radio link with a remote monitoring device V and / or with the beacon B, which can itself act as a relay between the mobile station M and the standby device V
  • the transmission-reception part E consists of a mobile telephone, for example a cellular telephone, compatible with at least one of the transmission standards in force
  • the mobile station M finally comprises an interface, designated as a whole by the reference I, and interposed between the monitoring or tracking part R and the transmission-reception part E
  • the tracking part R comprises a receiver 10 permanently receiving the electromagnetic signals sent by the satellite S, and sending them in a decoder 12, which transforms these signals into position information, for example arranged in longitude and in lat itude du eu where the mobile station M is located at this time
  • the decoder 12 can advantageously include a module 14 for displaying this position information
  • This position information is supplied, via the interface I which will be explained below, to the transmission-reception part E, comprising a transmitter 16 and a receiver 18. This position information is then capable of '' be re-transmitted by the transmitter 16 to the standby device V, directly, or indirectly via a beacon B acting as a relay An operator located at the standby device V can thus know in real time l exact location of mobile station M
  • Position information can be continuously retransmitted and updated in real time to the standby device It can also be obtained at any time at the request of the standby device operator who then sends a signal to the mobile station M, goes out directly, goes out by the through the base B, this signal being received, for example, by the receiver 18 which triggers, via the interface I, the transmission by the transmitter 16 of the last position information determined by the tracking device R
  • the interface includes a local memory in which is recorded. awaiting retransmission of the last position information determined by the tracking device R Once this retransmission has been carried out, new position information will be determined and saved in the local memory of the interface, replacing the previous position information
  • This knowledge can also be obtained under the action of the user himself of the mobile station M.
  • Such an action of the user can be voluntary, that is to say that the user himself desires for a reason.
  • this trigger is interpreted as an acknowledgment of receipt of the signal from the user, which inhibits the retransmission of his position to the standby device If, on the other hand, the user is in the incapacity for any reason to trigger the appropriate device, this lack of action on the part of the user is interpreted to mean that the latter is in a situation which requires rapid intervention
  • the retransmission of the position of the user is then carried out, this position is received at the standby device by the operator who can then report to an intervention team the last position known to the user for immediate action
  • FIG. 2 a block diagram of the mobile station M
  • the monitoring or tracking part R comprising the receiver 10 and the decoder 12, possibly with its display module 14
  • the transmission-reception part E comprising the transmitter 16 and the receiver 18, which are both supplied by a main source of energy 20
  • the transmitter 16, the receiver 18 and the source 20 constitutes a mobile telephone, for example a cellular telephone, of the type that is currently found on the market, the ancillary components such as the keyboard and the display screen not having been shown for the sake of clarity
  • the mobile station M also includes an interface I interposed between the locating part R and the transmitting-receiving part E Generally speaking, the interface I receives the position information provided by the locating part R to process them before supplying them to the transmitter 16, possibly under the control of information supplied to the interface I by the receiver 18, so that this position information is transmitted to the standby device V
  • the data output from the decoder 12 is supplied to a converter 22 capable of converting this position information into digital signals capable of being recorded in a random access memory 24.
  • An addressing circuit 26 is preferably provided. in reading and writing this memory, and a device 28 for checking the consistency of the last position information with respect to the previous corresponding information stored
  • the position information recorded in the RAM 24 can thus be supplied to the input of the transmitter 16, by means of a converter 30 capable of converting this information recorded in the memory 24 into an analog or digital signal. intelligible by this transmitter 16
  • the position information can thus be retransmitted continuously by the transmitter 16 to the standby device V
  • the interface I also includes an internal clock 32 incrementing a counter 34 controlling the automatic and periodic reading of the memory 24 and setting corresponding route of the transmitter 16 via a command 36 of the transmitter 16
  • the position information can thus be retransmitted discontinuously at predetermined times, for example once or twice per hour. Each time this position information has been retransmitted, the counter 34 is reset by a reset device 38
  • the interface I may preferably comprise a device 40 for detecting the state of this main energy source 20, supplying inter alia the transmitter 16, so as to control the operation of the control unit 36 of the transmitter 16 and to automatically retransmit the last position information recorded in the RAM 24 before complete extinction of the source 20
  • the counter 34 to go out connected to a signaling device 42 emitting an audible and / or light alarm to indicate the impending retransmission
  • the user sleeps then actuating a device 44 to, at the same time, inhibit the unit 36 for controlling the transmitter 16, control the device 38 for resetting the counter 34 to zero, and interrupt the emission of the alarm signal by the device 42
  • the position information is retransmitted to the standby device V only if the user does not perform the simple task of actuating, for example by means of a push button, the device inhibition 44, which indicates to the operator located at the standby device V that rapid intervention with the user of the mobile station M is necessary
  • the position information can also be transmitted to the standby device at the request of the operator located at this standby device.
  • the latter then sends, directly or indirectly via the beacon B, a determined coded signal which is received by the receiver 18
  • This coded signal determines is then supplied to the transmitter control unit 36 16 which then retransmits the position information recorded at this instant in the memory 24 and which is supplied to it by the converter 30
  • the transmitter 16 / receiver 18 assembly can advantageously constitute a mobile telephone, for example a cellular telephone, of the type of those which are commercially available. It is then possible in this event that the interface I comprises an automatic answering machine 46, capable of discriminating between a normal telephone call and a call coming from the standby device V In the first case, the answering machine 46 actuates the transmitter 16 / receiver 18 assembly like a conventional mobile phone , and, in the second case, it controls the operation of the control unit 36 of the transmitter 16 so that the latter retransmits the last position information without intervention by the user of the mobile station M
  • the interface I comprises an automatic numbering means 48 for making an outgoing call to the remote standby device V, so to allow the discontinuous retransmission of the position information at predetermined times, for example once or twice per hour, as seen above.
  • the counter 34 is reset by the reset device 38
  • the interface I also includes a means 50 for detecting the radio carrier received by the receiver 18 If the radio carrier is detected, the retransmission of the transmission of the last information of posrtion can be performed If the radio carrier is not detected, the call is canceled and a subsequent re-call from the standby device V is scheduled within a predetermined period until the radio carrier can be detected to perform the retransmission of position information
  • the interface may further comprise a secondary or standby radio transmitter 52, of short range emitting a determined signal, detectable, for example, by a nearby beacon of the mobile station M
  • this secondary radio transmitter 52 has a secondary power source 54 independent of the other devices or components of the station mobile M and only comes into operation when the detection device 40 detects a failure of the main power source 20
  • Such a secondary radio transmitter 52 then allows emergency location by simple triangulation
  • the secondary radio transmitter 52 only emits such a determined signal in response to a signal received by a short range secondary radio receiver 56, so as to save the power source.
  • a method of locating mobile stations has therefore been proposed, which is particularly simple to implement, since, according to one embodiment, the position information reaches the remote standby device without any action from the user of the mobile station According to another embodiment, this positional information reaches the standby device only to signal, because of the user's inaction, that intervention with the latter is desirable
  • a mobile station intended to implement the above method has therefore been produced in parallel, which is also simple to implement since the user has nothing to do to indicate his position according to one embodiment, or since inaction by the user means that intervention with the latter is necessary.
  • Such a mobile station is of moderate cost, since the components of the interface in particular, with the exception of the auxiliary power source when this is planned, can all be combined in an integrated circuit produced in large series.
  • Such a mobile station provides reliable position information, thanks to the precision commonly obtained by location systems based on a set of satellites, so to be able to intervene quickly with the user of the mobile station when necessary
  • the mobile station can therefore also include security devices making it possible to locate the carrier even in the event of a partial failure. For example, if the monitoring or tracking device R breaks down, it is still possible to locate the mobile station, but to degraded way, by the only mobile phone, in particular if the latter is of the cellular type
  • the present invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been dec ⁇ t, but it is on the contrary liable to receive numerous modifications which will appear to a person skilled in the art, and which come within its scope.
  • the position information signal can be automatically assigned a flag indicating that all is well or that there is something going wrong.
  • other information can be added to the position information.
  • the position information can also be refined by means of electronic micro-accelerometers on board the mobile station.
  • the mobile station can monitor other parameters, for example health or standby of the user.
  • the monitoring part 40 can include a sensor of the amplitude and frequency of the user's pulse, breathing, etc., sensor, for example, integral with the user
  • the mobile station can transmit only this type of information, or else transmit only information position, or transmit a combination of this information
  • the intermediate mobile station will have an incoming call scheduler intended to allow automatic reception of information of this type which is not intended for it, of a RAM sufficient to store the information, and d '' a reroutor capable of dialing the call number of the standby device and automatically retransmitting the information received and stored
  • the information transmitted by the mobile mobile station will then include the call number in the header of the final recipient, ie of the monitoring device
  • the interface of each mobile station concerned may favorably include a search program from one of the multiple paths for optimizing and securing multiple transmission

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for monitoring a mobile station (M) user receiving at least periodically at least an accurate information concerning its user, said information being re-transmitted by radio relay channel to a remote watch device (V). The mobile station (M) comprises, in combination, a monitoring device (R), a radio-transmitter (16), and an interface (I) including at least a main memory (34), a read-write memory (24) addressing circuit (26), a converter (22) capable of converting the information into a digital signal that can be stored in the read-write memory (24), a converter (30) capable of converting the signal stored in read-write memory (24) into an intelligible signal for the radio-transmitter (16), and a unit (36) controlling the radio-transmitter (16).

Description

Procédé de surveillance de l'utilisateur d'une station mobile et station mobile correspondante Method for monitoring the user of a mobile station and corresponding mobile station
La présente invention concerne les procédés et les dispositifs de surveillance de l'utilisateur d'une station mobile facilement transportable par l'utilisateur et recevant au moins périodiquement une information précise relative à cet utilisateur.The present invention relates to methods and devices for monitoring the user of a mobile station easily transportable by the user and receiving at least periodically precise information relating to this user.
Cette information précise est choisie parmi une information de position délivrée par un dispositif de repérage à balises, à satellites ou équivalents, une information de santé délivrée par un capteur solidaire de l'utilisateur, une information de veille de l'utilisateur, et une combinaison de celles-ci.This precise information is chosen from position information delivered by a tracking device with beacons, to satellites or the like, health information delivered by a sensor secured to the user, user monitoring information, and a combination of these.
Un tel procédé de surveillance peut trouver une application dans les procédés de localisation de stations mobiles, permettant de localiser rapidement l'utilisateur de cette station mobile, lorsque certaines conditions sont remplies ou, au contraire, ne sont plus remplies, pour déclencher une action appropriée. Cette action peut, par exemple, consister en une intervention auprès de l'utilisateur, si ce dernier sort d'un périmètre prédéterminé, par exemple en milieu hospitalier, ou pénètre dans une zone non autorisée.Such a monitoring method can find an application in the methods for locating mobile stations, making it possible to quickly locate the user of this mobile station, when certain conditions are met or, on the contrary, are no longer met, to trigger an appropriate action. . This action may, for example, consist of an intervention with the user, if the latter leaves a predetermined perimeter, for example in a hospital environment, or enters an unauthorized area.
Un tel procédé de surveillance peut également permettre de détecter une éventuelle défaillance de santé de l'utilisateur pour déclencher une action appropriée. Cette action consistera alors à porter immédiatement secours à l'utilisateur.Such a monitoring method can also make it possible to detect a possible failure of the user's health in order to trigger an appropriate action. This action will then consist in bringing immediate help to the user.
De même, un tel procédé de surveillance peut détecter une défaillance de veille de l'utilisateur, par exemple si ce dernier ne s'acquitte pas régulièrement d'une tâche simple, et qu'il semble donc être en danger. La présente invention concerne également une station mobile, du genre d'un boîtier transportable, équipant un utilisateur, et mettant en oeuvre le procédé de la présente invention. Des procédés de localisation sont déjà connus en association avec des stations mobiles spécifiques, comme par exemple les balises ARGOS, utilisées par les navigateurs ou les alpinistes De telles balises, outre leurs coûts très élevés, présentent un inconvénient majeur En effet, elles ne sont localisées par un ensemble de satellites artificiels dédiés à cette fonction, que lorsque leur utilisateur les met en service II en résulte que si l'utilisateur est inconscient, ou incapable de les activer, de telles balises sont inopérantesLikewise, such a monitoring method can detect a user standby failure, for example if the user does not regularly perform a simple task, and therefore appears to be in danger. The present invention also relates to a mobile station, of the type of a transportable box, equipping a user, and implementing the method of the present invention. Localization methods are already known in association with specific mobile stations, such as for example the ARGOS beacons, used by navigators or mountaineers. Such beacons, in addition to their very high costs, have a major drawback Indeed, they are only localized by a set of artificial satellites dedicated to this function, that when their user puts them into service It follows that if the user is unconscious, or unable to activate them, such beacons are inoperative
On connaît également, du document FR-A-2 715 013, un procédé de localisation et de détection de stations mobiles de radiocommunication communiquant avec une station de base d'un réseau cellulaire Selon ce procédé, on associe à un utilisateur de la station mobile une balise fixe émettant, avec une portée sensiblement plus petite que la dimension caractéristique d'une cellule, un signal radio propre à l'utilisateur Lorsque la station mobile capte le signal radio émis par la balise, elle adresse à la station de base du réseau de communication un signal indiquant qu'elle se trouve à portée de la balise La localisation générale de la station mobile est connue à travers la situation de la station de base La localisation précise de la station mobile est connue par l'intermédiaire de la balise La balise est, par exemple, située au domicile de l'utilisateur, de sorte que l'on peut localiser ainsi la station mobile si elle se trouve par exemple à moins de 300 mètres de la balise On peut ainsi détecter que l'utilisateur est proche de son domicile et lui appliquer un coût de communication préférentiel Un tel procédé nécessite donc l'installation d'autant de balises que d'utilisateursAlso known from document FR-A-2 715 013 is a method for locating and detecting mobile radiocommunication stations communicating with a base station of a cellular network. According to this method, a user of the mobile station is associated a fixed beacon transmitting, with a range substantially smaller than the characteristic dimension of a cell, a radio signal specific to the user When the mobile station picks up the radio signal emitted by the beacon, it addresses to the network base station communication a signal indicating that it is within range of the beacon The general location of the mobile station is known through the situation of the base station The precise location of the mobile station is known by means of the beacon La beacon is, for example, located at the user's home, so that one can thus locate the mobile station if it is for example less than 300 meters from the tag We can thus detect that the user is close to his home and apply a preferential communication cost to him. Such a process therefore requires the installation of as many tags as there are users
On connaît aussi du document US-A-5 121 126 un système de télécommunications amélioré à l'aide de balises du réseau public commute Un tel système comporte une balise émettπce associée à la station dans le réseau commuté pour fournir une information de localisation La balise émet périodiquement des signaux contenant une information sur la localisation de la balise et de la station Un récepteur portable est prévu pour recevoir une telle information et l'afficher pour permettre à l'utilisateur du récepteur portable de localiser la station La station peut être une cabine téléphonique publique et/ou un téléphone mobile cellulaire Le récepteur peut être associé a un téléphone mobile cellulaire pour établir des communications avec un téléphone mobile cellulaire disposé au voisinage de la balise Un tel système exige également l'installation d'un grand nombre de balises On connaît encore, du document EP-A-0 199 266, un système radio cellulaire pour véhicules Ce système comporte un dispositif de navigation mis à jour par la réception de signaux émis par des balises situées sur le bord de la route, et qui procurent des informations pour choisir la cellule radio Les informations de localisation sont transférées dans le dispositif radio du véhicule pour être comparées aux informations sur les cellules radio Cette comparaison définit la cellule radio appropπée et le concentrateur radio Le dispositif radio comporte une mémoire pour enregistrer les informations pour plusieurs cellules radio Les informations de localisation pour une ou plusieurs cellules radio sont envoyées au véhicule passant à proximité de la balise, pour obtenir la localisation des véhicules Ce système exige, là encore, l'installation d'un grand nombre de balisesDocument US-A-5 121 126 also discloses an improved telecommunications system using beacons from the public switched network. Such a system includes a transmitter beacon associated with the station in the switched network to provide location information. periodically transmits signals containing information on the location of the beacon and the station A portable receiver is provided to receive such information and display it to allow the user of the portable receiver to locate the station The station can be a cabin public telephone and / or a cellular cellular telephone The receiver can be associated with a cellular cellular telephone to establish communications with a cellular cellular telephone arranged in the vicinity of the beacon Such a system also requires the installation of a large number of beacons There is also known from document EP-A-0 199 266, a cellular radio system for vehicles. This system comprises a navigation device updated by the reception of signals emitted by beacons located on the side of the road, and which provide information for choosing the radio cell The location information is transferred to the vehicle's radio device to be compared with the information on the radio cells This comparison defines the appropriate radio cell and the radio concentrator The radio device has a memory for storing the information for several radio cells The location information for one or more radio cells is sent to the vehicle passing close to the beacon, to obtain the location of the vehicles This system again requires the installation of a large number of beacons
De manière générale, tous ces systèmes connus impliquent que la localisation des balises soit connue au départ, ce qui implique également une difficulté accrue d'installation et un coût relativement élevéIn general, all these known systems imply that the location of the beacons is known at the outset, which also implies increased installation difficulty and relatively high cost.
La présente invention se place dans ce contexte et a pour objet de prévoir un procédé de surveillance de l'utilisateur d'une station mobile, notamment de surveillance de la localisation de l'utilisateur, qui sort simple a mettre en oeuvre, d'un coût modéré tout en fournissant des informations fiables, pour pouvoir intervenir rapidement auprès de l'utilisateur de la station mobile lorsque cela est nécessaireThe present invention is placed in this context and aims to provide a method for monitoring the user of a mobile station, in particular for monitoring the location of the user, which is simple to implement, of a moderate cost while providing reliable information, to be able to intervene quickly with the user of the mobile station when necessary
Dans ce but, la présente invention propose un procédé de surveillance de l'utilisateur d'une station mobile recevant au moins périodiquement au moins une information précise relative à l'utilisateurTo this end, the present invention provides a method for monitoring the user of a mobile station receiving at least periodically at least precise information relating to the user
Selon la présente invention, l'information est retransmise par voie hertzienne à un dispositif de veille éloignéAccording to the present invention, the information is retransmitted over the air to a remote monitoring device.
De cette façon, un opérateur situe au dispositif de veille pourra intervenir directement ou indirectement auprès de l'utilisateur si le besoin s'en fart sentirIn this way, an operator located at the standby device can intervene directly or indirectly with the user if the need arises.
Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, la dernière information est mise en mémoire locale en attente de retransmission, en remplacement de la précédenteAccording to a characteristic of the invention, the last information is put in local memory awaiting retransmission, replacing the previous one
Selon une caractéristique avantageuse, la dernière information n'est automatiquement retransmise que lorsque l'utilisateur de la station mobile ne s'acquitte plus d'une tâche d'inhibition de l'émission De préférence, un signal prévient le porteur qu'il dort s'acquitter sans délai de la tâche d'inhibition avant que la dernière information ne sort retransmiseAccording to an advantageous characteristic, the last information is automatically retransmitted only when the user of the mobile station no longer performs a task of inhibiting the transmission. Preferably, a signal warns the wearer that he / she is going to carry out the inhibition task without delay before the last information is transmitted.
On peut également prévoir que la dernière information ne sort retransmise que sur demande du dispositif de veille De façon avantageuse, le dispositif de retransmission de l'information est un téléphone mobile, par exemple cellulaireIt is also possible to provide that the last information will only be retransmitted at the request of the standby device. Advantageously, the device for retransmitting the information is a mobile telephone, for example a cellular telephone.
La présente invention a également pour objet de prévoir une station mobile pour la mise en oeuvre d'un tel procédé, qui sort simple à réaliser, facile à transporter et d'un coût modéré tout en fournissant des informations fiables au dispositif de veille pour que l'opérateur situé à ce dispositif de veille puisse intervenir rapidement auprès de l'utilisateur de la station mobile lorsque cela est nécessaireThe present invention also aims to provide a mobile station for the implementation of such a method, which is simple to carry out, easy to transport and of moderate cost while providing reliable information to the standby device so that the operator located at this standby device can quickly intervene with the user of the mobile station when necessary
Dans ce but, la présente invention propose une station mobile pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé décπt ci-dessus, qui comprend, en combinaison, un dispositif de surveillance, un émetteur-radio, et une interface comprenant au moins une mémoire vive, un circuit d'adressage en lecture et en écriture de la mémoire, un convertisseur capable de convertir l'information issue du dispositif de surveillance en un signal numérique susceptible d'être stocké dans la mémoire, un convertisseur susceptible de convertir le signal stocké en mémoire en un signal intelligible pour l'émetteur-radio, et une unité de commande de l'émetteur-radio Selon une caractéristique de la présente invention, la station mobile comprend, en outre, une horloge interne incrémentant un compteur commandant la lecture automatique périodique de la mémoire et la mise en route correspondante de l'émetteur-radioTo this end, the present invention provides a mobile station for implementing the above method, which comprises, in combination, a monitoring device, a radio transmitter, and an interface comprising at least one random access memory, one memory read and write addressing circuit, a converter capable of converting information from the monitoring device into a digital signal capable of being stored in memory, a converter capable of converting the signal stored in memory into an intelligible signal for the radio transmitter, and a radio transmitter control unit According to a characteristic of the present invention, the mobile station further comprises an internal clock incrementing a counter controlling the periodic automatic reading of the memory and the corresponding start-up of the radio transmitter
De préférence, le compteur comporte un moyen de remise à zéroPreferably, the counter includes a means for resetting to zero
On prévoira, de préférence, que l'interface comporte un moyen de signa - sation de l'imminence d'une retransmission de l'information de position, et un moyen d'inhibition de la retransmission de cette informationIt will preferably be provided that the interface includes a means of signaling the imminence of a retransmission of the position information, and a means of inhibiting the retransmission of this information.
Selon une autre caractéristique de la présente invention, la station mobile comprend, en outre, un récepteur-radio qui est susceptible de commander la lecture automatique de la mémoire et la mise en route de l'émetteur-radio en réponse à un signal codé déterminé On pourra prévoir que l'interface comprenne, en outre, un dispositif de détection de l'état de la source de puissance électrique d'au moins l'émetteur-radio, de manière à retransmettre automatiquement la dernière information avant extinction de la sourceAccording to another characteristic of the present invention, the mobile station further comprises a radio receiver which is capable of controlling the automatic reading of the memory and the switching on of the radio transmitter in response to a determined coded signal. Provision may be made for the interface to further comprise a device for detecting the state of the electrical power source of at least the radio transmitter, so as to automatically retransmit the last information before the source is switched off.
On pourra également prévoir que l'interface comprenne, en outre, un moyen de vérification de la cohérence de la dernière information reçue par rapport à la précédente information correspondante mise en mémoireProvision may also be made for the interface to further comprise a means of verifying the consistency of the last information received with respect to the previous corresponding information stored.
De préférence, l'émetteur-radio et le récepteur-radio constituent ensemble un téléphone mobile, par exemple cellulaire, l'interface incluant, en outre, un moyen pour répondre automatiquement à un appel rentrant Dans ce cas, il est avantageux de prévoir que l'interface inclut, en outre, un moyen de numérotation automatique pour effectuer un appel sortant vers le dispositif de veille éloigné, et un moyen de détection de la porteuse-radio déterminant le moment appropné de la transmission de la dernière information de position ou un ré-appel du dispositif de veille éloigné De plus, la station mobile peut comprendre, en outre, un émetteur-radio secondaire de faible portée émettant un signal déterminé D'une part, cet émetteur-radio secondaire peut avoir une source de puissance indépendante des autres dispositifs de la station mobile et n'entrer en fonction que lorsque le dispositif de détection détecte une défaillance de la source de puissance principale, et d'autre part, cet emetteur-radio secondaire peut n'émettre le signal déterminé qu'en réponse à un signal reçu par un recepteur-radio secondaire de faible portéePreferably, the radio transmitter and the radio receiver together constitute a mobile telephone, for example a cellular telephone, the interface including, moreover, a means for automatically answering an incoming call. In this case, it is advantageous to provide that the interface further includes an automatic dialing means for making an outgoing call to the remote standby device, and a radio carrier detection means determining the appropriate time for the transmission of the last position information or a re-calling of the remote standby device In addition, the mobile station may further comprise a secondary radio transmitter of short range transmitting a determined signal On the one hand, this secondary radio transmitter may have a power source independent of the other devices of the mobile station and only operate when the detection device detects a failure of the main power source, and at least On the other hand, this secondary radio transmitter can only transmit the determined signal in response to a signal received by a short range secondary radio receiver.
D'autres buts, caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention res- sortiront clairement de la description qui suit d'un mode de réalisation donné à titre d'exemple uniquement, en liaison avec les dessins annexés sur lesquels - La Figure 1 représente un schéma de principe du procédé selon la présente invention, etOther objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the following description of an embodiment given by way of example only, in conjunction with the appended drawings in which - Figure 1 shows a diagram in principle of the method according to the present invention, and
- La Figure 2 représente un schéma synoptique d'une station mobile pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé de la Figure 1- Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a mobile station for implementing the method of Figure 1
On a représenté sur la Figure 1 un schéma de principe pour expliquer le fonctionnement du procédé selon la présente invention Dans l'exemple représenté, le procédé de surveillance est destiné à locahser une station mobile, désignée dans son ensemble par la référence M La station mobile M comporte une partie de surveillance ou de repérage, désignée dans son ensemble par la référence R, recevant, dans l'exemple représenté, par voie hertzienne des données en provenance d'au moins un satellite S, et les traitant pour les transformer en informations de position ou de localisation Un exemple d'un tel système de localisation est connu sous le nom de G P. S , ce sigle correspondant à l'expression anglo- saxonne "Global Posrtionmng System" La station mobile M peut également recevoir des données en provenance d'une balise BThere is shown in Figure 1 a block diagram for explaining the operation of the method according to the present invention In the example shown, the method monitoring station is intended to locate a mobile station, designated as a whole by the reference M The mobile station M comprises a monitoring or tracking part, designated as a whole by the reference R, receiving, in the example shown, by channel over the air data from at least one satellite S, and processing them to transform them into position or location information An example of such a location system is known by the name of G P. S, this acronym corresponding to the English expression "Global Posrtionmng System" Mobile station M can also receive data from a beacon
La station mobile M comporte également une partie d'émission-réception, désignée dans son ensemble par la référence E, et destinée à correspondre par voie hertzienne avec un dispositif distant de veille V et/ou avec la balise B, pouvant elle-même agir comme relais entre la station mobile M et le dispositif de veille V De façon avantageuse, la partie d'émission-réception E est constituée d'un téléphone mobile, par exemple cellulaire, compatible avec au moins l'une des normes de transmission en vigueur La station mobile M comporte enfin une interface, désignée dans son ensemble par la référence I, et interposée entre la partie de surveillance ou de repérage R et la partie d'émission-réception E La partie de repérage R comporte un récepteur 10 captant en permanence les signaux électromagnétiques envoyées par le satellite S, et les envoyant dans un décodeur 12, qui transforme ces signaux en informations de position, par exemple agencées en longitude et en latitude du eu où se trouve à cet instant la station mobile M Le décodeur 12 peut avantageusement comprendre un module 14 d'affichage de ces informations de positionThe mobile station M also comprises a transmission-reception part, designated as a whole by the reference E, and intended to correspond by radio link with a remote monitoring device V and / or with the beacon B, which can itself act as a relay between the mobile station M and the standby device V Advantageously, the transmission-reception part E consists of a mobile telephone, for example a cellular telephone, compatible with at least one of the transmission standards in force The mobile station M finally comprises an interface, designated as a whole by the reference I, and interposed between the monitoring or tracking part R and the transmission-reception part E The tracking part R comprises a receiver 10 permanently receiving the electromagnetic signals sent by the satellite S, and sending them in a decoder 12, which transforms these signals into position information, for example arranged in longitude and in lat itude du eu where the mobile station M is located at this time The decoder 12 can advantageously include a module 14 for displaying this position information
Ces informations de position sont fournies, par l'intermédiaire de l'interface I qu'on explicitera par la suite, à la partie d'émission-réception E, comportant un émetteur 16 et un récepteur 18 Ces informations de position sont alors susceptibles d'être ré-émises par l'émetteur 16 vers le dispositif de veille V, directement, ou indirectement par l'intermédiaire d'une balise B agissant en temps que relais Un opérateur situé au dispositif de veille V peut ainsi connaître en temps réel l'emplacement exact de la station mobile MThis position information is supplied, via the interface I which will be explained below, to the transmission-reception part E, comprising a transmitter 16 and a receiver 18. This position information is then capable of '' be re-transmitted by the transmitter 16 to the standby device V, directly, or indirectly via a beacon B acting as a relay An operator located at the standby device V can thus know in real time l exact location of mobile station M
Cette connaissance peut être obtenue à tout instant, pour permettre de suivre en permanence les mouvements de l'utilisateur de la station mobile L'information de position peut être retransmise en permanence et réactualisée en temps réel au dispositif de veille Elle peut également être obtenue à tout moment sur demande de l'opérateur du dispositif de veille qui envoie alors un signal à la station mobile M, sort directement, sort par l'intermédiaire de la ba se B, ce signal étant reçu, par exemple, par le récepteur 18 qui déclenche, par l'inte- rmédiaire de l'interface I, l'émission par l'émetteur 16 de la dernière information de position déterminée par le dispositif de repérage RThis knowledge can be obtained at any time, so that the movements of the user of the mobile station can be continuously monitored Position information can be continuously retransmitted and updated in real time to the standby device It can also be obtained at any time at the request of the standby device operator who then sends a signal to the mobile station M, goes out directly, goes out by the through the base B, this signal being received, for example, by the receiver 18 which triggers, via the interface I, the transmission by the transmitter 16 of the last position information determined by the tracking device R
Cette connaissance peut également être obtenue de façon discontinue, c'est à dire n'être obtenue qu'à des instants prédéterminés, par exemple une ou deux fois par heure On peut alors prévoir que l'interface comporte une mémoire locale dans laquelle est enregistrée en attente de retransmission la dernière information de position déterminée par le dispositif de repérage R Une fois cette retransmission effectuée, une nouvelle information de position sera déterminée et enregistrée dans la mémoire locale de l'interface, en remplacement de l'information de position précédenteThis knowledge can also be obtained discontinuously, that is to say be obtained only at predetermined times, for example once or twice an hour. It can then be provided that the interface includes a local memory in which is recorded. awaiting retransmission of the last position information determined by the tracking device R Once this retransmission has been carried out, new position information will be determined and saved in the local memory of the interface, replacing the previous position information
Cette connaissance peut aussi être obtenue sous l'action de l'utilisateur lui- même de la station mobile M Une telle action de l'utilisateur peut être sort volontaire, c'est à dire que l'utilisateur lui-même désire pour une raison quelconque faire connaître au dispositif de veille V sa position, sort involontaire, c'est à dire que l'information de position est retransmise sans intervention de l'utilisateur, par exemple pour signaler que ce dernier est dans l'incapacité de signaler sa position On pourra, par exemple, prévoir de façon avantageuse que la retransmission sort effectuée de façon discontinue comme on l'a décnt ci- dessus, mais qu'un signal sonore et/ou lumineux prévienne l'utilisateur que cette retransmission est sur le point d'être effectuéeThis knowledge can also be obtained under the action of the user himself of the mobile station M. Such an action of the user can be voluntary, that is to say that the user himself desires for a reason. any signal to the standby device V about its position, involuntary exit, that is to say that the position information is retransmitted without user intervention, for example to indicate that the latter is unable to report his position One could, for example, advantageously provide that the retransmission comes out carried out discontinuously as was noted above, but that an audible and / or light signal warns the user that this retransmission is about to 'be performed
Si l'utilisateur déclenche alors un dispositif appropné, ce déclenchement est interprété comme accusé de réception du signal de la part de l'utilisateur, ce qui inhibe la retransmission de sa position au dispositif de veille Si, par contre, l'utilisateur est dans l'incapacité pour une raison quelconque de déclencher le dispositif approprié, cette absence d'action de la part de l'utilisateur est interprétée comme signifiant que ce dernier est dans une situation qui nécessite une intervention rapide La retransmission de la position de l'utilisateur est alors effectuée, cette position est reçue au dispositif de veille par l'opérateur qui peut alors signaler à une équipe d'intervention la dernière position connue de l'utilisateur pour une action immédiateIf the user then triggers an appropriate device, this trigger is interpreted as an acknowledgment of receipt of the signal from the user, which inhibits the retransmission of his position to the standby device If, on the other hand, the user is in the incapacity for any reason to trigger the appropriate device, this lack of action on the part of the user is interpreted to mean that the latter is in a situation which requires rapid intervention The retransmission of the position of the user is then carried out, this position is received at the standby device by the operator who can then report to an intervention team the last position known to the user for immediate action
On a représenté sur la Figure 2 un schéma synoptique de la station mobile M On reconnaît sur cette Figure 2 la partie de surveillance ou de repérage R, comportant le récepteur 10 et le décodeur 12, avec éventuellement son module d'affichage 14 On reconnaît également la partie d'émission-réception E, comportant l'émetteur 16 et le récepteur 18, qui sont tous deux alimentés par une source principale d'énergie 20 Comme on l'a vu plus haut, l'émetteur 16, le récepteur 18 et la source 20 constituent un téléphone mobile, par exemple cellulaire, du type de ceux que l'on trouve actuellement dans le commerce, les composants annexes tels que le clavier et l'écran d'affichage n'ayant pas été représentés par souci de clarté La station mobile M comporte également une interface I interposée entre la partie de repérage R et la partie d'émission-réception E D'une manière générale, l'interface I reçoit les informations de position fournies par la partie de repérage R pour les traiter avant de les fournir à l'émetteur 16, éventuellement sous le contrôle d'informations fournies à l'interface I par le récepteur 18, pour que ces informations de position soient transmises au dispositif de veille VThere is shown in Figure 2 a block diagram of the mobile station M We recognize in this Figure 2 the monitoring or tracking part R, comprising the receiver 10 and the decoder 12, possibly with its display module 14 We also recognize the transmission-reception part E, comprising the transmitter 16 and the receiver 18, which are both supplied by a main source of energy 20 As we have seen above, the transmitter 16, the receiver 18 and the source 20 constitutes a mobile telephone, for example a cellular telephone, of the type that is currently found on the market, the ancillary components such as the keyboard and the display screen not having been shown for the sake of clarity The mobile station M also includes an interface I interposed between the locating part R and the transmitting-receiving part E Generally speaking, the interface I receives the position information provided by the locating part R to process them before supplying them to the transmitter 16, possibly under the control of information supplied to the interface I by the receiver 18, so that this position information is transmitted to the standby device V
De façon plus précise, les données en sortie du décodeur 12 sont fournies à un convertisseur 22 capable de convertir ces informations de position en signaux numériques susceptibles d'être enregistrés dans une mémoire vive 24 On prévoira, de préférence, un circuit d'adressage 26 en lecture et en écriture de cette mémoire, et un dispositif 28 de vérification de la cohérence de la dernière information de position par rapport à la précédente information correspondante mise en mémoireMore precisely, the data output from the decoder 12 is supplied to a converter 22 capable of converting this position information into digital signals capable of being recorded in a random access memory 24. An addressing circuit 26 is preferably provided. in reading and writing this memory, and a device 28 for checking the consistency of the last position information with respect to the previous corresponding information stored
L'information de position enregistrée dans la mémoire vive 24 peut ainsi être fournie à l'entrée de l'émetteur 16, par l'intermédiaire d'un convertisseur 30 susceptible de convertir cette information enregistrée dans la mémoire 24 en un signal analogique ou numérique intelligible par cet émetteur 16The position information recorded in the RAM 24 can thus be supplied to the input of the transmitter 16, by means of a converter 30 capable of converting this information recorded in the memory 24 into an analog or digital signal. intelligible by this transmitter 16
L'information de position peut ainsi être retransmise de façon continue par l'émetteur 16 au dispositif de veille VThe position information can thus be retransmitted continuously by the transmitter 16 to the standby device V
L'interface I comporte également une horloge interne 32 incrémentant un compteur 34 commandant la lecture automatique et périodique de la mémoire 24 et la mise en route correspondante de l'émetteur 16 par l'intermédiaire d'une unrté 36 de commande de l'émetteur 16The interface I also includes an internal clock 32 incrementing a counter 34 controlling the automatic and periodic reading of the memory 24 and setting corresponding route of the transmitter 16 via a command 36 of the transmitter 16
L'information de posrtion peut ainsi être retransmise de façon discontinue à des instants prédéterminés, par exemple une ou deux fois par heure Chaque fois que cette information de posrtion a été retransmise, le compteur 34 est réinitialisé par un dispositif de remise à zéro 38The position information can thus be retransmitted discontinuously at predetermined times, for example once or twice per hour. Each time this position information has been retransmitted, the counter 34 is reset by a reset device 38
De façon à éviter que cette information de posrtion ne sort pas retransmise aux instants prédéterminés à cause de la défaillance de la source principale d'énergie 20, l'interface I peut comprendre, de préférence, un dispositif 40 de détection de l'état de cette source d'énergie principale 20, alimentant entre autres l'émetteur 16, de manière à commander le fonctionnement de l'unité de commande 36 de l'émetteur 16 et à retransmettre automatiquement la dernière information de position enregistrée dans la mémoire vive 24 avant extinction complète de la source 20In order to avoid this position information not being retransmitted at predetermined times due to the failure of the main energy source 20, the interface I may preferably comprise a device 40 for detecting the state of this main energy source 20, supplying inter alia the transmitter 16, so as to control the operation of the control unit 36 of the transmitter 16 and to automatically retransmit the last position information recorded in the RAM 24 before complete extinction of the source 20
De même, pour éviter de retransmettre l'information de position au dispositif de veille à ces instants prédéterminés si l'utilisateur de la station mobile n'éprouve pas le besoin de faire connaître sa position, on peut prévoir que le compteur 34 sort relié à un dispositif de signalisation 42 émettant une alarme sonore et/ou lumineuse pour indiquer l'imminence d'une retransmission L'utilisateur dort alors actionner un dispositif 44 pour, à la fois, inhiber l'unité 36 de commande de l'émetteur 16, commander le dispositif 38 de remise à zéro du compteur 34, et interrompre l'émission du signal d'alarme par le dispositif 42Likewise, to avoid retransmitting the position information to the standby device at these predetermined times if the user of the mobile station does not feel the need to make his position known, provision can be made for the counter 34 to go out connected to a signaling device 42 emitting an audible and / or light alarm to indicate the impending retransmission The user sleeps then actuating a device 44 to, at the same time, inhibit the unit 36 for controlling the transmitter 16, control the device 38 for resetting the counter 34 to zero, and interrupt the emission of the alarm signal by the device 42
De cette manière, l'information de position n'est retransmise au dispositif de veille V que si l'utilisateur ne s'acquitte pas de la tâche simple consistant à actionner, par exemple au moyen d'un bouton poussoir, le dispositif d'inhibition 44, ce qui indique à l'opérateur situé au dispositif de veille V qu'une intervention rapide auprès de l'utilisateur de la station mobile M est nécessaireIn this way, the position information is retransmitted to the standby device V only if the user does not perform the simple task of actuating, for example by means of a push button, the device inhibition 44, which indicates to the operator located at the standby device V that rapid intervention with the user of the mobile station M is necessary
L'information de posrtion peut également être transmise au dispositif de veille sur demande de l'opérateur situé à ce dispositif de veille Ce dernier envoie alors, directement ou indirectement par l'intermédiaire de la balise B, un signal codé déterminé qui est reçu par le récepteur 18 Ce signal codé détermine est alors fourni à l'unité 36 de commande de l'émetteur 16 qui retransmet alors l'information de position enregistrée à cet instant dans la mémoire 24 et qui lui est fournie par le convertisseur 30The position information can also be transmitted to the standby device at the request of the operator located at this standby device. The latter then sends, directly or indirectly via the beacon B, a determined coded signal which is received by the receiver 18 This coded signal determines is then supplied to the transmitter control unit 36 16 which then retransmits the position information recorded at this instant in the memory 24 and which is supplied to it by the converter 30
On a vu plus haut que l'ensemble émetteur 16 / récepteur 18 peut constituer de façon avantageuse un téléphone mobile, par exemple cellulaire, du type de ceux qui sont disponibles dans le commerce On peut alors prévoir dans cette éventualité que l'interface I comporte un répondeur automatique 46, pouvant effectuer la discrimination entre un appel téléphonique normal et un appel en provenance du dispositif de veille V Dans le premier cas, le répondeur 46 actionne l'ensemble émetteur 16 / récepteur 18 à la façon d'un téléphone mobile conventionnel, et, dans le second cas, il commande le fonctionnement de l'unité de commande 36 de l'émetteur 16 pour que ce dernier retransmette la dernière information de position sans intervention de l'utilisateur de la station mobile MWe have seen above that the transmitter 16 / receiver 18 assembly can advantageously constitute a mobile telephone, for example a cellular telephone, of the type of those which are commercially available. It is then possible in this event that the interface I comprises an automatic answering machine 46, capable of discriminating between a normal telephone call and a call coming from the standby device V In the first case, the answering machine 46 actuates the transmitter 16 / receiver 18 assembly like a conventional mobile phone , and, in the second case, it controls the operation of the control unit 36 of the transmitter 16 so that the latter retransmits the last position information without intervention by the user of the mobile station M
Dans cette hypothèse où l'ensemble émetteur 16 / récepteur 18 constitue un téléphone mobile, on peut prévoir de façon avantageuse que l'interface I comporte un moyen 48 de numérotation automatique pour effectuer un appel sortant vers le dispositif de veille éloigné V, de façon à permettre la retransmission discontinue de l'information de position à des instants prédéterminés, par exemple une ou deux fois par heure, comme on l'a vu plus haut Chaque fois que cette information de posrtion a été retransmise, le compteur 34 est réinitialisé par le dispositif de remise à zéro 38In this hypothesis where the transmitter 16 / receiver 18 assembly constitutes a mobile telephone, it can advantageously be provided that the interface I comprises an automatic numbering means 48 for making an outgoing call to the remote standby device V, so to allow the discontinuous retransmission of the position information at predetermined times, for example once or twice per hour, as seen above. Each time this position information has been retransmitted, the counter 34 is reset by the reset device 38
On peut alors prévoir dans ce dernier cas que l'interface I comporte éga- lement un moyen 50 de détection de la porteuse-radio reçue par le récepteur 18 Si la porteuse-radio est détectée, la retransmission de la transmission de la dernière information de posrtion peut être effectuée Si la porteuse-radio n'est pas détectée, l'appel est annulé et un réappel ultérieur du dispositif de veille V est programmé dans un délai prédéterminé jusqu'à ce que la porteuse-radio puisse être détectée pour effectuer la retransmission de l'information de posrtionIn this latter case, it can then be provided that the interface I also includes a means 50 for detecting the radio carrier received by the receiver 18 If the radio carrier is detected, the retransmission of the transmission of the last information of posrtion can be performed If the radio carrier is not detected, the call is canceled and a subsequent re-call from the standby device V is scheduled within a predetermined period until the radio carrier can be detected to perform the retransmission of position information
Pour améliorer la sécunté des retransmissions d'informations de posrtion, on peut prévoir que l'interface comprenne de plus un émetteur-radio 52 secondaire ou de secours, de faible portée émettant un signal déterminé, détectable, par exemple, par une balise B proche de la station mobile M De préférence, cet émetteur-radio secondaire 52 a une source de puissance secondaire 54 indépendante des autres dispositifs ou composants de la station mobile M et n'entre en fonction que lorsque le dispositif de détection 40 détecte une défaillance de la source de puissance principale 20 Un tel émetteur-radio secondaire 52 permet alors une localisation de secours par simple triangulationTo improve the safety of retransmissions of position information, provision may be made for the interface to further comprise a secondary or standby radio transmitter 52, of short range emitting a determined signal, detectable, for example, by a nearby beacon of the mobile station M Preferably, this secondary radio transmitter 52 has a secondary power source 54 independent of the other devices or components of the station mobile M and only comes into operation when the detection device 40 detects a failure of the main power source 20 Such a secondary radio transmitter 52 then allows emergency location by simple triangulation
On peut également prévoir, en outre, que l'émetteur-radio secondaire 52 n'émette un tel signal déterminé qu'en réponse à un signal reçu par un récepteur-radio 56 secondaire de faible portée, de manière à économiser la source de puissance secondaire 54It can also be provided, in addition, that the secondary radio transmitter 52 only emits such a determined signal in response to a signal received by a short range secondary radio receiver 56, so as to save the power source. secondary 54
On a donc bien proposé un procédé de localisation de stations mobiles, qui est particulièrement simple à mettre en oeuvre, puisque, selon un mode de réalisation, l'information de posrtion parvient au dispositif de veille éloigné sans aucune action de l'utilisateur de la station mobile Selon un autre mode de réalisation, cette information de posrtion parvient au dispositif de veille uniquement pour signaler, à cause de l'inaction de l'utilisateur, qu'une intervention auprès de ce dernier est souhaitableA method of locating mobile stations has therefore been proposed, which is particularly simple to implement, since, according to one embodiment, the position information reaches the remote standby device without any action from the user of the mobile station According to another embodiment, this positional information reaches the standby device only to signal, because of the user's inaction, that intervention with the latter is desirable
On a donc bien réalisé parallèlement une station mobile destinée à mettre en oeuvre le procédé ci-dessus, qui est également simple à mettre en oeuvre puisque l'utilisateur n'a rien à faire pour signaler sa posrtion selon un mode de réalisation, ou puisque l'inaction de l'utilisateur signifie qu'une intervention auprès de ce dernier est nécessaire Une telle station mobile est d'un coût modéré, puisque les composants de l'interface en particulier, à l'exception de la source d'énergie auxiliaire lorsque celle-ci est prévue, peuvent tous être reunis dans un circuit intégré produit en grande séπe Une telle station mobile fournit des informations de position fiables, grâce a la précision couramment obtenue par les systèmes de localisation basés sur un ensemble de satellites, de façon à pouvoir intervenir rapidement auprès de l'utilisateur de la station mobile lorsque cela est nécessaireA mobile station intended to implement the above method has therefore been produced in parallel, which is also simple to implement since the user has nothing to do to indicate his position according to one embodiment, or since inaction by the user means that intervention with the latter is necessary. Such a mobile station is of moderate cost, since the components of the interface in particular, with the exception of the auxiliary power source when this is planned, can all be combined in an integrated circuit produced in large series. Such a mobile station provides reliable position information, thanks to the precision commonly obtained by location systems based on a set of satellites, so to be able to intervene quickly with the user of the mobile station when necessary
La station mobile peut donc également comporter des dispositifs de sécurité permettant de localiser le porteur même en cas de défaillance partielle Par exemple, si le dispositif de surveillance ou de repérage R tombe en panne, il est encore possible de locahser la station mobile, mais de façon dégradée, au moyen du seul téléphone mobile, en particulier si ce dernier est du type cellulaireThe mobile station can therefore also include security devices making it possible to locate the carrier even in the event of a partial failure. For example, if the monitoring or tracking device R breaks down, it is still possible to locate the mobile station, but to degraded way, by the only mobile phone, in particular if the latter is of the cellular type
Bien entendu, la présente invention n'est pas limitée au mode de réalisation qui vient d'être décπt, mais elle est susceptible au contraire de recevoir de nombreuses modifications qui apparaîtront à l'homme du métier, et qui rentrent dans son cadre Notamment, le signal d'information de posrtion peut être automatiquement affecté d'un drapeau signalant que tout va bien ou qu'il y a quelque chose qui va mal En outre, d'autres informations peuvent être ajoutées à l'information de positionOf course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been decπt, but it is on the contrary liable to receive numerous modifications which will appear to a person skilled in the art, and which come within its scope. In particular, the position information signal can be automatically assigned a flag indicating that all is well or that there is something going wrong. In addition, other information can be added to the position information.
L'information de posrtion peut également être affinée au moyen de micro- accéléromètres électroniques embarqués dans la station mobileThe position information can also be refined by means of electronic micro-accelerometers on board the mobile station.
Bien que l'exemple décπt ne cite que l'information de position, la station mobile peut surveiller d'autres paramètres, par exemple de santé ou de veille de l'utilisateur Par exemple, la partie de surveillance 40 peut inclure un capteur de l'amplitude et de la fréquence du pouls de l'utilisateur, de sa respiration, etc , capteur, par exemple, solidaire de l'utilisateur La station mobile peut ne transmettre que ce type d'informations, ou bien ne transmettre qu'une information de position, ou bien transmettre une combinaison de ces informationsAlthough the example decπt cites only the position information, the mobile station can monitor other parameters, for example health or standby of the user. For example, the monitoring part 40 can include a sensor of the amplitude and frequency of the user's pulse, breathing, etc., sensor, for example, integral with the user The mobile station can transmit only this type of information, or else transmit only information position, or transmit a combination of this information
Il peut également être utile d'ajouter à la station mobile des composants supplémentaires de type mémoire additionnelle, interface vocale, mini-clavier, etc , de manière à lui donner des fonctions supplémentaires, notamment en vue de fournir des informations appropπées avant l'arπvée de secours humainsIt may also be useful to add to the mobile station additional components such as additional memory, voice interface, mini-keyboard, etc., so as to give it additional functions, in particular with a view to providing appropriate information before arrival. human relief
On pourra également prévoir que l'information transmise par la station mobile M vers le dispositif de veille V sort relayée par au moins une station mobile intermédiaire du même type en cas d'éloignement substantiel du dispositif de veille par rapport à l'utilisateur Dans un tel cas, la station mobile intermédiaire disposera d'un discπminateur d'appels rentrants destiné a permettre une réception automatique d'une information de ce type qui ne lui est pas destinée, d'une mémoire vive suffisante pour stocker l'information, et d'un rerouteur capable de composer le numéro d'appel du dispositif de veille et de retransmettre automatiquement l'information reçue et stockée De préférence, l'information transmise par la station mobile d'oπgine comportera alors en en-tête le numéro d'appel du destinataire final, c'est à dire du dispositif de veille En outre, l'interface de chaque station mobile concernée pourra favorablement comporter un programme de recherche d'un parmi plusieurs chemins permettant d'optimiser et de sécuπser la transmission multipleProvision may also be made for the information transmitted by the mobile station M to the standby device V to be relayed by at least one intermediate mobile station of the same type in the event of substantial distance of the standby device from the user. in such a case, the intermediate mobile station will have an incoming call scheduler intended to allow automatic reception of information of this type which is not intended for it, of a RAM sufficient to store the information, and d '' a reroutor capable of dialing the call number of the standby device and automatically retransmitting the information received and stored Preferably, the information transmitted by the mobile mobile station will then include the call number in the header of the final recipient, ie of the monitoring device In addition, the interface of each mobile station concerned may favorably include a search program from one of the multiple paths for optimizing and securing multiple transmission
Ensuite, il faut noter que le procédé conforme à la présente invention et qui vient d'être décrit est basé, non pas sur une information physique telle qu'une différence de phase ou un niveau d'intensité d'un signal, mais bien sur la transmission d'un code numérique. Enfin, il est remarquable que ce procédé peut également fonctionner sans un système de satellites, puisqu'une information de position peut être simplement délivrée grâce aux protocoles des téléphones cellulaires à partir des relais cellulaires locaux. Next, it should be noted that the process according to the present invention and which has just been described is based, not on physical information such as a difference in phase or intensity level of a signal, but of course the transmission of a digital code. Finally, it is remarkable that this method can also operate without a satellite system, since position information can be simply delivered using cell phone protocols from local cellular relays.

Claims

R E V E N D I C A T I O N SR E V E N D I C A T I O N S
1 - Procédé de surveillance de l'utilisateur d'une station mobile (M) recevant au moins périodiquement au moins une information précise relative au dit utilisateur, caractérisé en ce que la dites au moins une information est retransmise par voie hertzienne à un dispositif de veille (V) éloigné.1 - Method for monitoring the user of a mobile station (M) receiving at least periodically at least one specific item of information relating to said user, characterized in that the said at least one item of information is retransmitted by wireless means to a device for standby (V) distant.
2 - Procédé de surveillance selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que la dite au moins une information est choisie parmi une information de position délivrée par un dispositif de repérage (R) à balises (B), à satellites (S) ou équivalents, une information de santé délivrée par un capteur solidaire du dit utilisateur, une information de veille du dit utilisateur, et une combinaison de celles-ci.2 - Monitoring method according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one item of information is chosen from position information delivered by a tracking device (R) with beacons (B), with satellites (S) or the like, health information delivered by a sensor integral with said user, standby information of said user, and a combination of these.
3 - Procédé de surveillance selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la dernière information délivrée à la dite station mobile (M) est mise en mémoire (34) locale en attente de retransmission, en remplacement de la précédente.3 - Monitoring method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the last information delivered to said mobile station (M) is stored in local memory (34) awaiting retransmission, replacing the previous one.
4 - Procédé de surveillance selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la dite dernière information n'est automatiquement retransmise que lorsque l'utilisateur de la dite station mobile (M) ne s'acquitte plus d'une tâche d'inhibition de l'émission.4 - Monitoring method according to claim 3, characterized in that said last information is automatically retransmitted only when the user of said mobile station (M) no longer performs a task of inhibiting the 'program.
5 - Procédé de surveillance selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce qu'un signal prévient le porteur qu'il doit s'acquitter sans délai de la tâche d'inhibition avant que la dite dernière information de position ne soit retransmise. 6 - Procédé de surveillance selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la dite dernière information n'est retransmise que sur demande du dit dispositif de veille (N).5 - A monitoring method according to claim 4, characterized in that a signal warns the wearer that he must carry out the inhibition task without delay before said last position information is retransmitted. 6 - Monitoring method according to claim 3, characterized in that said last information is only retransmitted at the request of said watch device (N).
7 - Procédé de surveillance selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de retransmission de la dite au moins une information est un téléphone mobile (E).7 - Monitoring method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for retransmitting said at least one item of information is a mobile telephone (E).
8 - Procédé de surveillance selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la dite au moins une information transmise par la station mobile (M) vers le dit dispositif de veille (V) est relayée par au moins une station mobile intermédiaire du même type en cas d'éloignement substantiel du dispositif de veille par rapport à l'utilisateur.8 - Monitoring method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said at least one item of information transmitted by the mobile station (M) to the said standby device (V) is relayed by at least one intermediate mobile station of the same type in the event of substantial distance of the standby device from the user.
9 - Station mobile pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend, en combinaison, un dispositif de surveillance (R), un émetteur-radio (16), et une interface (I) comprenant au moins une mémoire vive (34), un circuit d'adressage (26) en lecture et en écriture de la dite mémoire vive (24), un convertisseur (22) capable de convertir la dite au moins une information issue du dit disposrtif de surveillance (R) en un signal numérique susceptible d'être stocké dans la dite mémoire vive (24), un convertisseur (30) susceptible de convertir le dit signal stocké en mémoire vive (24) en un signal intelligible pour le dit émetteur-radio (16), et une unité de commande (36) du dit émetteur-radio (16).9 - Mobile station for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, in combination, a monitoring device (R), a radio transmitter (16), and an interface (I) comprising at least one random access memory (34), an addressing circuit (26) for reading and writing said random access memory (24), a converter (22) capable of converting said least one information item said monitoring device (R) into a digital signal capable of being stored in said random access memory (24), a converter (30) capable of converting said signal stored in random access memory (24) into an intelligible signal for the said radio transmitter (16), and a control unit (36) of said radio transmitter (16).
10 - Station mobile selon la revendication 9, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend, en outre, une horloge interne (32) incrémentant un compteur (34) commandant la lecture automatique périodique de la dite mémoire vive (24) et la mise en route coπespondante du dit émetteur-radio (16). 11 - Station mobile selon la revendication 10, caractérisée en ce que le dit compteur (34) comporte un moyen (38) de remise à zéro.10 - mobile station according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises an internal clock (32) incrementing a counter (34) controlling the periodic automatic reading of said random access memory (24) and the start-up coπespondante of said radio transmitter (16). 11 - Mobile station according to claim 10, characterized in that said counter (34) comprises means (38) for resetting to zero.
12 - Station mobile selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que l'interface (I) comporte un moyen (42) de signalisation de l'imminence d'une retransmission de la dite au moins une information, et un moyen (44) d'inhibition de la retransmission de la dite information de position.12 - Mobile station according to claim 11, characterized in that the interface (I) comprises a means (42) for signaling the imminence of a retransmission of said at least one piece of information, and a means (44) d inhibition of the retransmission of said position information.
13 - Station mobile selon la revendication 9, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend, en outre, un récepteur-radio (18) qui est susceptible de commander la lecture automatique de la dite mémoire (24) et la mise en route du dit émetteur-radio (16) en réponse à un signal codé déterminé.13 - Mobile station according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a radio receiver (18) which is capable of controlling the automatic reading of said memory (24) and the switching on of said transmitter radio (16) in response to a determined coded signal.
14 - Station mobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 13, caractérisée en ce que la dite interface (I) comprend, en outre, un dispositif de détection (40) de l'état de la source (20) de puissance électrique d'au moins le dit émetteur-radio (16), de manière à retransmettre automatiquement la dite dernière information de position avant extinction de la dite source (20).14 - Mobile station according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that said interface (I) further comprises a detection device (40) of the state of the source (20) of electrical power at least said radio transmitter (16), so as to automatically retransmit said last position information before switching off said source (20).
15 - Station mobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 14, caractérisée en ce que la dite interface (I) comprend, en outre, un moyen (28) de vérification de la cohérence de la dite dernière information par rapport à la précédente information correspondante mise en mémoire (24).15 - Mobile station according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that said interface (I) further comprises a means (28) for checking the consistency of said last information with respect to the previous one corresponding information stored (24).
16 - Station mobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications 13 à 15, caractérisée en ce que le dit émetteur-radio (16) et le dit récepteur-radio (18) constituent ensemble un téléphone mobile cellulaire, la dite interface (I) incluant, en outre, un moyen (46) pour répondre automatiquement à un appel rentrant. 17 - Station mobile selon la revendication 16, caractérisée en ce que la dite interface (I) inclut, en outre, un moyen de numérotation automatique (48) pour effectuer un appel sortant vers le dit dispositif de veille éloigné (V), et un moyen de détection (50) de la porteuse-radio déterminant le moment approprié de la transmission de la dite dernière information ou un ré-appel du dispositif de veille éloigné (V).16 - Mobile station according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that said radio transmitter (16) and said radio receiver (18) together constitute a cellular mobile telephone, said interface (I) including , further, means (46) for automatically answering an incoming call. 17 - Mobile station according to claim 16, characterized in that said interface (I) further includes an automatic dialing means (48) for making an outgoing call to said remote standby device (V), and a detection means (50) of the radio carrier determining the appropriate time for the transmission of said last information or a re-call from the remote standby device (V).
18 - Station mobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 17, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend, en outre, un émetteur-radio (52) secondaire de faible portée émettant un signal déterminé.18 - Mobile station according to any one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that it further comprises a secondary radio transmitter (52) of short range transmitting a determined signal.
19 - Station mobile selon les revendications 14 et 18, caractérisée en ce que le dit émetteur-radio secondaire (52) a une source de puissance (54) indépendante des autres dispositifs de la station mobile (M) et n'entre en fonction que lorsque le dit dispositif de détection (40) détecte une défaillance de la source de puissance principale (20).19 - Mobile station according to claims 14 and 18, characterized in that said secondary radio transmitter (52) has a power source (54) independent of the other devices of the mobile station (M) and only comes into operation when said detection device (40) detects a failure of the main power source (20).
20 - Station mobile selon la revendication 18 ou 19, caractérisée en ce que le dit émetteur-radio secondaire (52) n'émet le dit signal déterminé qu'en réponse à un signal reçu par un récepteur-radio secondaire (56) de faible portée.20 - Mobile station according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that said secondary radio transmitter (52) transmits said determined signal only in response to a signal received by a secondary radio receiver (56) of low scope.
21 - Station mobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 20, caractérisée en ce que la dite station mobile intermédiaire comporte un discriminateur d'appels rentrants destiné à permettre une réception automatique d'une information de ce type qui ne lui est pas destinée, une mémoire vive suffisante pour stocker l'information, et un re-routeur capable de composer le numéro d'appel du dispositif de veille (V) et de retransmettre automatiquement l'information reçue et stockée. 21 - Mobile station according to any one of claims 9 to 20, characterized in that said intermediate mobile station includes a rebound call discriminator intended to allow automatic reception of information of this type which is not intended for it , a RAM sufficient to store the information, and a re-router capable of dialing the telephone number of the standby device (V) and automatically retransmitting the information received and stored.
PCT/FR1998/001173 1997-06-05 1998-06-05 Method for monitoring a mobile station user and corresponding station WO1998055973A1 (en)

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FR9706955A FR2765446B1 (en) 1997-06-05 1997-06-05 METHOD FOR MONITORING THE USER OF A MOBILE STATION AND CORRESPONDING MOBILE STATION
FR97/06955 1997-06-05

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5497149A (en) * 1993-09-02 1996-03-05 Fast; Ray Global security system
US5552772A (en) * 1993-12-20 1996-09-03 Trimble Navigation Limited Location of emergency service workers

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5497149A (en) * 1993-09-02 1996-03-05 Fast; Ray Global security system
US5552772A (en) * 1993-12-20 1996-09-03 Trimble Navigation Limited Location of emergency service workers

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FR2765446B1 (en) 1999-12-10
AU7924798A (en) 1998-12-21

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